A question we get asked all the time: Constant itching is driving them crazy, itch is everywhere around arms, down there, legs. It is driving me nuts, I have rashes because of this itch. I am fed up with this itch, I have tried antibiotics, antibiotic creams but nothing is working, and nothing seems to be working what should I do?

Before I continue with this article, you should know I've recently compiled a list of science-backed ways to get rid of candida yeast infections. You can download my free Candida Report here if you haven't yet.

By far the most common question I get asked about is itching or, to use its recognized medical term, pruritus. In fact over 50% of people who contact me to ask for further information about Candida and yeast infections in general, ask whether itching, no matter where it is on the body, is caused by their Candida overgrowth.

Yet, itching, as I am sure most sufferers of chronic itching are aware, is not the simple subject it might first appear to be. In fact, as it turns out, it is actually one of the most complicated.

Internal Causes of Itching

Although we tend to think of itching as being a reaction to an external stimulus this is not always the case. Internal influences can trigger an itching sensation and these can be driven either by disease or drugs. Some of the illnesses which cause itching can be serious, for example diabetes mellitus or thyroid dysfunction. In some cases it can be caused by an iron deficiency even when anemia is not apparent in blood test results. So, when it comes to internal causation of itching, remember not only to check if any drugs you are prescribed can cause it, but also to get more serious conditions ruled out.

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External Causes of Itching

When it comes to the causes of external itching this can be caused by many things. Allergic reactions to perfumes or chemicals, stings, or even Candida. Fungi together with bacteria live quite happily on our skin and although some are known to have benefits, others, as of yet we do not understand the purpose, but for most of the time such organisms cause us no harm. Yet sometimes these fungi, and Candida in particular, can cause us problems.

Cutaneous Candidiasis

When the skin becomes infected with Candida it is known as Cutaneous Candidiasis and one of the most common manifestations of this form of infection is in diaper or nappy rash. In adults however although it is still very common, often it is not recognized at least initially, as a skin problem which is being caused by Candida. If it appears in the groin or armpit region, then it is more likely to be identified as cutaneous Candidiasis, however when it appears on other parts of the body which are not typically associated with this fungus, such as the nail beds or around the mouth, then it is less likely to be immediately attributed to Candida.

Yet this skin problem often results in extreme itching and discomfort and patients may have to cope with this issue for long periods before they achieve the correct diagnosis, and of course, treatment. Such a fungal infection can appear not only on the areas of the body which would normally be conducive to yeast overgrowth, such as the groin, armpit, behind knees or indeed in any area where the environment is dark, warm and moist, such as in the folds under rolls of skin, but also in many other regions.

I explain to the many patients who ask if the itching sensation they feel is associated with Candida, that what they also need to watch out for in addition to a rash, are disturbances to the hair follicle. Often these will look like small pimples at the root of follicles in the location of the itch and are signs of an infection. But sometimes these can be difficult to see because they may be located under the dense hair of the head where the fungi like to reside.

It is also important that if you have itching but there is no rash or disturbance to hair follicles to make sure you get other conditions, such as the ones I mention above. ruled out. Itching can in rare cases, manifest where other severe illnesses are the underlying cause.

Men and Cutaneous Candida

Men in particular have difficulty in getting cutaneous Candidiasis diagnosed. This is because Candida as a general condition is more commonly associated as being a female condition. However many men are affected with itching which often and it can take some time, usually longer than women, to get this attributed to Candida.

Identifying Cutaneous Candida

If you have recurrent, troublesome itching anywhere on your body then the first line of action should be to have a skin scraping undertaken. This is not painful and what it can do is identify or rule out a yeast infection. Because yeast infections are often triggered by a variety of contemporary medicines it would also be helpful to your clinician if you can identify when the itching started, and, more importantly, if it was shortly after a course of antibiotics, NSAIDs or steriods. Those with asthma and on inhaled steroids often suffer from troublesome skin conditions which could well be indicative of cutaneous Candidiasis, so it is always advisable to rinse out the mouth at least 3 times after each inhaled dose. Other patients such as those with a weakened immune system, are also at risk from cutaneous Candidiasis as are those people being treated with chemotherapy.

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So remember that while Candida usually manifests on parts of the body which are moist, dark and warm, it can emerge anywhere on the skin, including around the mouth. Trace back any itching outbreak to possible treatments you have either received or are still receiving and remember that although rashes are easy to spot, infections at hair follicle level are more difficult, so it is best to establish a diagnosis by asking your clinician to perform a skin scraping.

Also remember that itching arising from a yeast infection, whether there is visible evidence or not, can affect men just as much as it can women, and no matter who you are, exposing the affected area to fresh air and the drying effects of daylight are going to put the Candida in an environment which is not conducive to its sustained growth.

A condition which is often confused with vitiligo or other common conditions which affect the pigmentation of the skin but which is actually caused by a yeast infection is, Tinea Versicolor. This is also often referred to as Pityriasis versicolor, Dermatomycosis furfuracea or Tinea flava.

Before I continue with this article, you should know I've recently compiled a list of science-backed ways to get rid of candida yeast infections. You can download my free Candida Report here if you haven't yet.

The reason for Tinea versicolor often being mistaken for vitiligo is because although the condition may start out as a group of small spots on the skin which are lighter than the surrounding area, if left untreated they eventually join up to make a discolored lesion. However Tinea versicolor can also appear as red spots rather than simply white and this can often help in achieving a diagnosis.

Unlike vitiligo the lesions or spots associated with tinea versicolor can appear quite scaly in nature but this is usually at the margins which often assists with providing a definitive diagnosis.

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Causes of Tinea Versicolor

Yet for all it has similarities to vitiligo, tinea versicolor, which can often be accompanied by slight itching, is actually caused by a yeast which lives on the skin and is therefore treatable. The yeast usually responsible for the problem is one known as Malessezia Furfur and although it is found on the skin in the majority of adults under certain conditions it will, like Candida albicans, multiply and start to cause problems.

No one really understands why tinea versicolor multiplies and causes skin damage, however the conditions which will induce this problem are quite well recognized. These include:

• A warm and humid weather environment
• Oily skin
• Being in your teens or early twenties
• Excessive sweating (which, if it is not triggered by heat or physical exertion can be an indicator of autonomic nervous system dysfunction)

Diagnosing Tinea Versicolor

As I have already suggested, although tinea versicolor can often be initially mistaken for vitiligo there are ways to tell the difference. I have already mentioned the scaly nature of tinea versicolor which, although doesn’t always appear, it most often does. However here are some other ways in which they differ:

Vitiligo often presents on symmetrical sides of the body whereas tinea versicolor most usually does not.

Tinea versicolor usually appears on parts of the body distinct from the areas where vitiligo is normally found. For example, vitiligo manifests more commonly around the armpits, eyes, fingers, groin, mouth and wrists, whereas tinea versicolor is usually found on the back, chest, stomach and upper-arms.

Quite often tinea versicolor is itchy, although not distressingly so, whereas vitiligo infrequently produces skin irritation.

Treating Tinea Versicolor

Once you have achieved a diagnosis of tinea versicolor, which I recommend doing via a qualified professional, then there are two avenues of treatment. Many people commence treating it with conventional medications and those are usually in the form of antifungals. Ketoconazole is most popularly used with selenium sulphide being the primary ingredient in shampoos.

Conventional Treatments

Antifungal shampoos are often prescribed if the yeast overgrowth is on the scalp. This is applied and left on for a short duration, usually 5-10 minutes, before being rinsed off again. Often this has to be done every day for around a week to ensure the infection is fully treated. A downside to these products is that they don’t have the most pleasant of perfumes and some people find this quite difficult to deal with.

Antifungal creams are the treatment of choice when it comes to clear areas of skin which are affected. These are applied once or twice a day usually for a minimum of two weeks.

Antifungal tablets are usually only used if the areas affected are large and diverse or the patient has recurring tinea versicolor. Sometimes the tablets are used in conjunction with the cream or shampoos in such cases.

Unfortunately, like other yeast infections, tinea versicolor is prone to returning and particularly if you experience the conditions which triggered it the first time round. Often patients are advised, even after the main course of treatment, to apply creams or use shampoo on a very much reduced or regular scale for some time into the future to prevent recurrent problems.

The good news is that although it might take several weeks or months, the normal pigmentation of the skin does return.

Natural Treatments

The other avenue of treatment is to look at natural remedies. This is my preferred avenue because there are no, or few, reactions and also it is more likely to resolve the condition permanently.

Firstly you have to rid your skin of the yeast and I recommend doing this by applying Tea Tree Oil. Although there are a vast number of these oils on the market today the one I find to be the most successful is the Australian Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia). Apply one drop to an affected area and gently massage it in. The results from this oil are likely to be as spectacular as any you will see from conventional medications. It may well work with other kinds of Tea Tree Oil but it could also take longer.

Another natural treatment you can try is Oregano Oil, however this product does seem to be more aggressive and I would suggest that you only use it, and very sparingly, if progress with the Tea Tree Oil is particularly slow or you have long standing damage.

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Relieving Discomfort

When you are looking to relieve the discomfort which can be caused by tinea versicolor I would recommend one of the many natural oils or treatments which are noted for soothing inflamed or damaged skin. These include Aloe vera (which is also a natural anti-inflammatory), Jojoba, natural organic beeswax, emu oil, goanna oil, or herbal calendula. When you purchase these products try to look for brands which are cold pressed and with no additives to ensure you are getting the best quality product available and also one which will not irritate the skin further. Often the better quality products have only a slight perfume which evaporates very quickly after use.
These products are very good for moisturizing the skin while you are using Tea Tree to heal the damage.

Using natural products means it takes a little longer than conventional medicines to produce a result because they are less aggressive. Normally you are looking at several months before seeing your skin return to normal. However you are much less likely to experience recurring infection even if you are exposed to the situation which triggered the problem the first time round.

Skin Yeast Infections Can Affect you Systemically

The common types of skin yeast infections can often affect other parts of the body as well, especially if the condition is allowed to remain for some time going into a chronic phase. For example, you may have a severe case of athlete’s feet and develop bloating, gas, burping, diarrhea or even break out in a rash on the palm of your hand. Now you have two problems, both connected but seen by doctors as separate conditions requiring different drugs. The fungus did this by becoming systemic and releasing mycotoxins into the blood stream, and the mycotoxins then affected your gastrointestinal system or the skin on the palm of your hand. I call yeast a micro-beast for this reason, it travels through it’s unsuspecting host and can affect you systemically in many different ways. Take a look at the common and not so common signs and symptoms of yeast infection.

Before I continue with this article, you should know I've recently compiled a list of science-backed ways to get rid of candida yeast infections. You can download my free Candida Report here if you haven't yet.

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Skin yeast infections have even been linked with elevated blood cholesterol levels. When for instance toenail fungus was treated, cholesterol levels were reduced. This of course would mean that, without a doubt, the fungus contributed to high cholesterol. A leading research (Constantine in 1994) discovered that cholesterol can actually bind to the fungal mycotoxins in your blood due to your immune system’s response to the yeast poisons.

Yeast and Lung Infections

Aspergillus is a single celled yeast organism which can seriously affect a person’s health. People with infections of the lungs have often been found to suffer from skin yeast infections. Some may even resemble skin cancer. (Kibbler) Aspergillosis is a group of diseases caused by the yeast Aspergillus. The symptoms are fever, a cough, chest pain or breathlessness occur in many other illnesses so diagnosis can be hard. Usually it is only in patients with already weakened immune systems or who suffer other lung conditions are susceptible. Some Aspergillus species however can cause serious disease in humans and animals. Allergic aspergillosis (which affects those asthma, cystic fibrosis and sinusitis patients). Acute invasive aspergillosis (risk increases if patient has weakened immunity such as some cancer patients and those on chemotherapy).

Many Skin Diseases Are Linked To Fungal Conditions

What I have commonly found is that the common skin diseases like psoriasis, acne, hives, and eczema at first glance don’t seem to have any relation to an internal candida fungus infection. But, when people who have these other common skin complaints are treated for a fungal infection, their external skin problems may well go away. There are various studies showing that psoriasis is indeed a fungal infection or linked to a fungal origin caused by either the fungus itself or their mycotoxins being released into the blood stream. (notini 1994) Psoriasis is supposedly an incurable disease, I have not found this to be the case. There are no “incurable” diseases, but plenty of patients who are resistant to correct treatment measures, in addition to many health care professionals who have one-tracked minds when it comes to skin treatments – local and external only. People with chronic skin complaints all too easily give up, and are in a constant search of “that magic cream” or potion that will banish all the itching, redness and discomfort.

The Internal Problems Need Fixing Up

Patients often find it amazing that the last thing I am concerned about is their skin problem, I want to get their digestion right FIRST – and then look at local treatment. It is important naturally to offer some comfort if the skin is itchy, flaky, red and irritable – but it is not the over riding factor.

The internal problem, is in most cases, preventable. Usually, it is caused by diet, antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills, or possible inhaling of fungal spores in the home through air conditioning systems. Have you ever seen a child with eczema that has not been exposed to antibiotics at one time or another? Remember that skin yeast infections are usually a sign that something is wrong inside your body. With that in mind these signs and symptoms should not be taken lightly. If you suffer from any skin yeast diseases it may be wise to take a look at your lifestyle and diet much more closely, what you did (and ate or drugs like antibiotics you took) before the disease showed symptoms.

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References

• Trichophyton schoenleinii first proven to cause skin lesions – (Principles and Practice of Clinical Mycology–1996
• Buck, D. S., et al.  Comparison of two topical preparations for the treatment of onychomycosis:  Melaleuca alterniflora (tea tree) oil and clotrimazole.  The Journal of Family Practice.  38(6):601-605, 1994.
• Ponikau, J. U., et al.  The diagnosis and incidence of allergic fungal sinusitis.  Mayo Clinic Proceedings.  74:877-884, 1999.

 

Ringworm (Tinea corpora)

This is probably one of the most misdiagnosed yeast skin infections I have seen, commonly viewed as eczema in children. Ringworm is caused by a microscopic fungus, not an actual worm. Many people worry a great deal about the term “ringworm”, and actually believe they have a worm problem. This is not the case, you simply have a fungal type of skin problem that causes these peculiar round red lesions, they are quite characteristic of ringworm – look at the picture, do you recognize it if you look at your itchy skin lesion?

Before I continue with this article, you should know I've recently compiled a list of science-backed ways to get rid of candida yeast infections. You can download my free Candida Report here if you haven't yet.

The infected area spreads out slowly from its central starting point and creates a slightly raised, circular and intensely red ring surrounding a less red, flaky, itchy area. It is impossible to miss, once you have seen this condition you won’t forget it. Over weeks, the ring slowly enlarges and spreads. It can occur anywhere on the body and in multiple sites at once, so it’s often confused with other kinds of skin problems like eczema, dermatitis and even psoriasis.

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Solution – use straight Australian Tea Tree Oil. Works well for my patients. I tend to use other products as well, depending on the case and like the person to have a diet change for 6 – 12 weeks. We can most always have a quick resolution with ringworm. This condition is easy to spot and diagnose, so don’t be fooled anymore. Make sure you observe hygiene and cleanliness, naturally.

 

What many people fail to realize is that yeasts and bacteria reside all over the skin. Often, although we have a general aversion to bacteria these days, these organisms act in a protective capacity. The skin, although it can make a pretty outer shell, is actually the largest organ of the body and is constantly reacting not only to what is happening to us externally but also internally.

Before I continue with this article, you should know I've recently compiled a list of science-backed ways to get rid of candida yeast infections. You can download my free Candida Report here if you haven't yet.

As an example of how internal problems can affect the skin we can take the condition of shingles into consideration. Although it presents on the surface of the skin as a rash or blisters or sometimes both, this rash is due to a virus traveling up from nerves deep inside the body and emerging on the surface. In some cases the bacteria and yeasts which reside on the skin will be able to overwhelm this pathogen, but, and particularly when immune responses are diminished, then it cannot and illness occurs.

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When it comes to yeasts similar things can happen in that an internal problem manifests in external symptoms – yet rarely are the internal problems investigated. Most people are aware that if they have problems on the skin they will be provided with a topical treatment such as a cream, to apply to the affected area only. Often the problem is further complicated because there are areas on the skin which are conducive to yeast infections. In women the most commonly recognized is that of the vagina which is moist, dark, airless and warm. Yet there are other places on the body where yeast infections can occur and which make it more difficult to treat. Anywhere on the body where there are creases or folds of flesh and particularly those which are covered by clothes rather than exposed to the air, are vulnerable. Under arms, behind knees in the crooks of elbows and on the scalp are places which are often affected. However women can also often be affected in the area just underneath the breasts where they touch the skin. This area is also, like the other commonly affected regions, warm, dark and moist. A problem which can also aggravate yeast infection in this area is that the skin can also be irritated by tight bras which, more often than not, are nylon or synthetic based in the support banding.

Yet diagnosing skin yeast infections can be more than a little problematic. Firstly many people present at my surgery who have already achieved a diagnosis of another skin condition, such as eczema or even psoriasis. Yet often I find what they actually have is a skin condition caused by a yeast infection and one which would respond more effectively to natural treatments rather than contemporary drugs. However these problems can become even more complex when a patient does actually have another skin condition and then that problem is aggravated by contracting a yeast infection on top of it. Either way, if the patient is only receiving treatment for one of the complaints then, clearly, the problem is not going to go away.

One fact which can assist in clarifying the true nature of skin infections is where it is located. If it manifests on any of the areas of the body which are conducive to yeasts, then often a fungal infection is involved to a lesser or greater degree. Other strong indicators toward yeast infection can be if the skin is itchy and/or reddened and if you also have other symptoms indicative of a dysfunction of the gut microflora. These are usually in the context of digestive issues and can include constipation and or diarrhea, indigestion, bloating or excessive gas. Often you will also find that you may have developed a sensitivity not only to certain foods, but certain body lotions or facial moisturizers.

Causation of course is always worth establishing. Not only does it give you an idea why your current infection began but it also gives you an idea of what to avoid in future. Sometimes the cause is easy to identify and many people can trace it back to when they had a course of antibiotics, but others, such as long-term use of the contraceptive pill, might be suspected as being the cause but are often a little more tricky to avoid.

Yeasts have existed on the skin of man since the beginning of his time, but only now are we constantly exposing both our internal and external organisms to undue stressors. If you have a skin infection and are either having problems ridding yourself of it with contemporary treatments or you want to identify what it is prior to starting a treatment, then it is worthwhile doing a Google search for fungal skin conditions and having a look at some images to see if yours corresponds. There is little point in either continuing with a treatment or embarking on one, if the condition you have will not respond to a particular medication. If it is a fungal infection then often natural treatments are best to rid yourself of it in the long-term. You may not get the apparent ‘quick-fix’ promised by contemporary medicine but then you will not have to deal with side-effects or recurrent infections either.

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